Chicago Dancemakers Forum announced new artistic residencies Monday, adding to the organization's robust lineup of grant programs supporting artists throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Four artists are paired with venues across the city: BraveSoul Movement at the Dance Center of Columbia College (South Loop), Ivelisse Diaz at Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center (Hermosa), La Vuelta Ensemble at UrbanTheater Company (Humboldt Park) and Rigo Saura at Ruth Page Center for the Arts (Near North). A fifth and final location and artist grouping is yet to be identified.
"Chicago Dancemakers Forum is incredibly fortunate to engage these artists in dynamic, interactive artistic processes with one another and to build new and strong relationships with presenting partners across Chicago," said executive director Ginger Farley in a statement.
Each resident artist, selected by the host venues and Chicago Dancemakers Forum, receives broad support for artistic and production development. A writer sponsored by Performance Response Journal will work side-by-side with each artist throughout the process. Thus far, the list of writers — which, by design, involves practicing artists, dramaturgs, curators and producers who also write — includes Ana Daniela, Benji Hart and Khalid Long.
The residency program is supported by the Walder Foundation. The Forum's recently announced Digital Dance Grant engages dance and performance artists working in various aspects of film and digital media. Also ongoing is the flagship Lab Artist Grant, which supports independent artists through a year-long creative process via mentorship, strategic partnerships and a $20,000 cash award.
